JOSH KENNEDY CLOSES GAP ON ABLETT

Sportingbet’s AFL analysts awarded Kennedy 1.5 votes for his Round 11 performance against Geelong, which moves him to within 3 votes of Ablett.

Sportingbet’s analysts award half votes when they can’t split certain performances, a system that has proven to balance out over the course of the season and provide a more accurate prediction of a player’s final vote numbers.

Kennedy’s odds of winning this year’s Brownlow Medal firmed from $9 into $7 at Sportingbet. He was $67 in April.

“We estimate that Kennedy has polled 13 votes since round 5 and Gold Coast’s tough schedule over the next month gives him a great opportunity to continue to pile the pressure on Ablett,” Sportingbet’s Andrew Brown said.

“The Suns will start underdogs in each of their next five games whereas the Swans will be favourites in their next five, so there’s every possible chance Kennedy could be the new Brownlow favourite come early July.”

Brisbane’s Tom Rockliff was the only player awarded three votes by Sportingbet’s analysts in Round 11. Travis Cloke, Ben Howlett, Taylor Walker, Rory Sloane and Stephen Hill all picked up 2.5 votes.